BMW 1 Series Priced Less Than $30,000

BMW's new 1 Series coupe will have a base price including destination of $29,375 for the 128i and $35,675 for the 135i. The 128i is powered by a 230-hp inline-six that can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 6.1 seconds with the manual transmission, while the 135i does the run a whole second quicker. Under the 135i's hood sits the BMW's 300-hp twin-turbo six-cylinder.

The coupe hits dealerships in spring 2008, and a convertible version of the 1 Series will be shown at the Detroit auto show in January.

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Comments

[J]

128i or the Evo X?
128i or the WRX?

[Infosaur]

Early reviews say it might even canibalize 3 series sales. And there isn't even an //M version yet.

[JP]

As much as I like the brand, what is the point of this car when a 3 series costs not much more and does not perform much better. Do we really need this much power in a car? I would like to see a well handling car and sacrifice a little 0-60 performance and make this a car that costs tops $25K. The old 2002's that came to the states were four cyclindder motors and became iconic. Most of these care in the U.S. were carburated and very few if I recall were fuel injected. Even a rarer car was the 2002 with fuel injection and turbo. Since we have speed limits in this country, do we really need cars that can accelerate and top out at clearly ridiculous speeds?

[JP]

As much as I like the brand, what is the point of this car when a 3 series costs not much more and does not perform much better. Do we really need this much power in a car? I would like to see a well handling car and sacrifice a little 0-60 performance and make this a car that costs tops $25K. The old 2002's that came to the states were four cyclindder motors and became iconic. Most of these care in the U.S. were carburated and very few if I recall were fuel injected. Even a rarer car was the 2002 with fuel injection and turbo. Since we have speed limits in this country, do we really need cars that can accelerate and top out at clearly ridiculous speeds?

[tim]

Actually the 3 series starts at $33,175. the xi starts at $35,075, .... $39675....$41575. The 3 sounds like a bit more than the 1 series to me. You're comparing apples to oranges. Then you add the look of the 3 versus 1. I don't dislike the 1 but it's looks like a younger person's(yes, young person w/ money) car to me which will just help beamer in the long run when these drivers trade up.

[AutoJournal]

From what I read, the 135i would be only about 300 pounds less than the 335i, for an almost identical power to weight ratio. Makes the 135i less interesting. Also, the 135i probably comes with narrower tires than the 335i and the potential for increasing size must be better on the 335i, also the 335i might be a more balanced car, would have to test drive it...
A little chip is all that is needed to max out the potential of the car and with some mechanical tweaking, it might be more of a beast than a Supra wich is also twin turbo 3.0L inline six.

Anyways, this car or any that as such performance potential is not targeting people whoworry about speed limits other than them being ridiculously low for the capacity of today's vehicules.

Buy a Honda Fit if that is the power you need. Don't need to be a poser and buy a car for the badge.

[phil]

They priced me out. I will go with the Volvo C-30 5 cylinder turbo @25K

[J]

The WRX costs about 28 grand quite loaded with options, with 224 hp on tap, and best of all, has 4 doors!(Can opt for the hatch if wanted) Plus, it has all 4 wheels powering the car.
Why in the world someone is buying the 128i? For the badge?

[Matt]

I have to agree with Phil; BMW has priced me out as well. That I would even consider a coupe is saying something, but I believe the price point for this car is ridiculous, seeing as how the options list will be longer than the Dead Sea scrolls. At prices like that, it seems as if its as simple as rolling the dice to decide whether or not to go with the 3-series or this overpriced coupe. If I'm 25 and single with a good government job making good money and I can't afford this car, then who is it marketed to?

[Matt]

I have to agree with Phil; BMW has priced me out as well. That I would even consider a coupe is saying something, but I believe the price point for this car is ridiculous, seeing as how the options list will be longer than the Dead Sea scrolls. At prices like that, it seems as if its as simple as rolling the dice to decide whether or not to go with the 3-series or this overpriced coupe. If I'm 25 and single with a good government job making good money and I can't afford this car, then who is it marketed to?

[Matt]

I have to agree with Phil; BMW has priced me out as well. That I would even consider a coupe is saying something, but I believe the price point for this car is ridiculous, seeing as how the options list will be longer than the Dead Sea scrolls. At prices like that, it seems as if its as simple as rolling the dice to decide whether or not to go with the 3-series or this overpriced coupe. If I'm 25 and single with a good government job making good money and I can't afford this car, then who is it marketed to?

[LM]

Upsetting that this thing will cost $30 grand. I think I'd rather have an IS 250 stick shift for about the same price, with REAL leather standard, not pleather, and 4 doors. Not to mention all the other standards the IS comes with at 30 large and arguably much better looks.

This car is priced about $4000 too high.

[Adrock]

Priced me out too. I'm in the market for a new smaller car in the spring and had hoped this would be it. I thought it would attempt to compete with the A3, but the base prices on that is a whole 4K less.

There are very few small cars worth buying in the US, even fewer coupes worth buying and only 1 RWD coupe at all in the US under 30K. Looks like I have to stick with VW or Mazda.